So it seemed like I bluffed my way through the interview: I got the job! A two to three month gig in Ladies shoes at a nice department store seems like a pretty decent way to spend the holidays- Can't you just see me befriending all those shoes? I mean- "Hello Manolo!" "Hey where did Louboutin go?" I think I've died and gone to shoe heaven. Kind of reminds me of this quote I once saw on a shopping bag:
Heaven is closer when you are in high heels.
I think I could probably find something delicious to toast to that! Photo cred: google
I finally got around to installing Photoshop on my newly formated computer and so, it's only right that I make a header for this blog. I mean- it's about time the layout stopped looking so boring and plain! The bird is featured in a Comme des Garçons advertisement that I first found in the pages of the September i-D. I was so mesmerized by it that there was nothing I could do but use it!
Edit: It seemed like some problems occurred with the header, which I hopefully just fixed.So I need to ask: does it work on your computer now? As in- can you see it?
You know how I mentioned another two Designers for Target collections? Finally got around to heading to the store- sure, I went a few days after it arrived... but the hype over fashion collaborations in Australia, after the Stella craze, is really not that big. The styles and range is an improvement from the Josh Goot and the quality considerably better than expected- keeping in mind that my expectations were minimal. I snapped a few pics on the camera phone, a sad little 1.3 megapixel thing that thankfully didn't make any strange noises whenever I took a photo (unlike my old Sony Ericsson), and here they are- apologies for the dismal resolution.
This is the dress you wanted to know more about, Lady! I think the clever lighting of the ad made it out to be more glamorous that it really is- it almost seems a little plain in real life now (the model looked très chic in it, non?). But then again... I didn't try it on because I just had a feeling that it would slightly strange on me. I would be wary of the fabric though, because whilst an acceptable quality... it looks like just the thing which will snare horribly if your nails aren't smooth and buffed and perfectly neat.
The cute sequined bags that I mentioned. Didn't actually take a good look at them because I knew I wouldn't be buying it, but since they looked so shiny and well... shiny, I just had to take a photo. It a good way to keep up to date with the whole metallics trend that's lingering around. To me, the black has a whole lot more class that the white- the black makes me think of those darling trumpeters, pianists and sax players in smoky clubs- playing sexy, husky jazz/blues tunes which I adore!
Those black shorts are major! I'm not sure how I'd pull it off (maybe with sheer knee socks or thigh high socks? Or maybe not... the fabrics would clash terribly I imagine- ) but just look at the draping and the pleats and details at the waistband! They're too good to pass up! Maybe I'll buy them when they go on sale (once again, I'm pulling the its-not-good-enough-quality excuse).Oh, and regarding the last photo-
I was extremely against the purple/ beige eyelet shift when I first found it online, but seeing it in store is a whole different story! The material is fantastic compared to most of the other cheaper looking ones- it looks very stiff, holds its shape well and is everything I think a nice shift should feel like. If you were planning to buy just one thing from these 2 collections, I would have to say the shift. Nothing else adds up quite as well.
Unless of course, you preferred the swimwear- all those frilly one pieces and bikinis in red or black! I'm not sure how I'd respond to you if I saw you on the beach with it though... Photo cred: me!
A number of very strange and rather shocking conversations between myself and an 8yo girl, the daughter of a family friend- let's call her Anni, occurred when they were visiting last week and I was absolutely stunned: Topic 1: Fluoro pink is the thing to be seen in, said she. "You know, you really should buy some fluoro pink. It's very popular these days." kicked off the first conversation. I think I was staring at Anni, mouth open half the time. Wait, what? Come again? I'm not trying to be elitist but it was shocking to realize how different 8yo girls a decade ago (aka moi) were from the kids of today. I think I was watching Sailor Moon and playing with yoyos in my tomboy jeans-and-Tshirt outfits.
Topic 2: She recommends Payless as the place to source your black flats. Because Anni just got her first pair of blk ballet flats at Payless, she recommend I get mine there too (sorry hun, I thought, I've already got a few pairs too many...) Topic 3:It's all about layering, dahling! "I really like these- points at her plain long sleeved blk Tshirt - it's really good for layering. Because we're in Spring so it's still a bit cold. An outfit kind of like what I'm wearing now..." For your information, she wore a blue and white patterned mid thigh baby doll over the Tshirt, with blk leggings and those flats. By God, she's trendy for someone who's not even a tween yet! [The photo was the first example that came to mind, a tad bit old- Marc by Marc Jacobs SS06 RTW] Topic 4: What do you call them? Pencil jeans or skinny jeans? Anni really really really wants a pair. Enough said. Apparently, I'm somewhat "uncool" because I don't own a pair. Does that mean I'm a nerd? Does it?
I sound terribly bitchy, don't I? I don't mean to, but I guess I still haven't gotten over our "enlightening" conversations yet. I say enlightening, in quotation marks no less, because it reflects the strength and power of advertising on the child and the tween in my opinion. Ever since a few years ago, it's suddenly become all about the tween- they're a huge market because they're aware of what's hot (and what's not), they understand the importance of one's appearance... but don't have a job yet. So to me, what the tween does is spend extravagantly on luxury goods with their parents' no limit credit cards. I'm not against the concept of either spending lots on luxury goods or the use of my mom's credit card per se (God knows I do it a lot)... it's just that if they're spending so much at a stage when they're not truly aware of the value of money, how much debt and card bills are they going to run up as an adult? And are they really aware of what's good quality, what's worth the price... and what's not? Is this in fact going to be the catalyst that will eventually lead to a First World debt crisis? [Shhh- I know I know. I'm being melodramatic...] Since everything is growing so much more accessible, and as children's fashion is becoming more like adult's fashion just shrunken in size, kids seem to be growing up so fast- at a glance, they appear to look better, act wiser- in an almost adult like manner- and it's such a foreign idea to me. Sure I was a city girl (no doubt I always will be) but I remember my childhood fondly- days spent in the local park playground, playing with the neighbor's kids and trying to beat the boys at handball during school recess and lunch. Anni seems to spend her days applying nail polish, reading numerous fashion magazines (she namedropped Harper's and Vogue at various points in time) and listening to Avril Lavigne and Gwen Stefani.
I don't know what to think.Are they being deprived of a childhood because of the commercialization, and materialization, of everything? Or are we simply redefining what childhood means? Photo cred: style.com, NYT, some blog I found through google
I personally might not like Kate Moss' new bangs (too blonde, too Irina. I definitely preferred her old messy/sexy bedhead look with that dirty blonde coloring rather than this wild platinum blonde bob) because it makes her look like a burnt out, too tired party girl, but that does not detract at all from the quality and sexy quality of this phenomenal ed. For lack of better words, just look at how bloody HOT she looks in Too Fast to Live. What a perfect title for this perfect ed- it's like the noughties' take on sex, drugs and rock-N-roll. Just pure complete dark glamor.
Click here for the full ed- I cut out maybe 4 pages because of misalignments and all that. Cred: the beautiful laisla of TFS
Just a side note because this is just amazing. Boring old unemployed me, with absolutely no proper retail experience, have been called in for a group interview at David Jones (one of the two dept stores which dominate Australia. Personally, I see DJs as more of an upper class thing than Myer) this Thursday. A miracle I tell you. A pure miracle. That and my friend's genius CV which I used as a template for my own.
I'm hoping against hope that I'll get the casual SA position that I want- I want that discount!Oh... and it's Christmas, my summer holiday, so I can practically work FT! Here's to more money, because 1. one can never be too rich or too thin and hence 2. I am an absolute casholic: Photo cred: TFS
So I just got a Target email telling me to check out their Designers for Target website because of the new collections. That's right- it's meant to be plural since there are two lines: Gail Sorronda and Yeojin Bae. I'm afraid I've never heard of Sorronda before, and since the website only has a small part of that collection up, it's kind of hard to judge. I did, however, spot a black sequined bag (there's also one in white) that's $69.99 and quite tremendous. And also a pleated mini, available once again in blk or white- also for $69.99. Too bad it's denim though, because the volume of it makes me think of those infamous SS07 Prada shorts for some reason. I'm not quite sure why...
Yeojin Bae is all about femininity and cute summer pieces. I know pictures may be deceiving but the quality just appears to be so much better! Am quite interested in the belts- it's very cute, very wearable and has that utilitarian/vintage look about it. The other three outfits that I posted here show the variety of the line- you have the LBD, the darling white summer day dress and the luxe tones of that last one is perfect for a night out on the town! Another instance where it reminds me of the SS07 Prada RTW- this time, I'm quite sure it's the color and the silk.
Collection comes out October 13. I suppose I will feel compelled to wander into Target and take a look. Even though the likelihood of me buying is very slim. A maybe on the belt, I guess. Photo cred: Designers for Target
I was in the gym the other day and it's funny how many people are joining up now. Prepping for the 07/08 Summer, anyone? I've been going through the net looking for some chic activewear inspiration- incredibly vain of me but I'm running out of options. My gym wear consists of 3 pairs of sneakers, 2 pair of pants and about 5 T-shirts (which are almost identical too!). Seriously minimalistic I tell you. I have a feeling some of the class instructors are probably thinking "My God! Does this girl have nothing else to wear?" Oh! And the fact that I'm thinking of joining some dance classes prompted this too. I'm leaning more towards the contemporary/ jazz thing, because I used to take jazz classes back in high school. Nicole Richie is my top pick for sportswear inspiration, as you can probably tell. I'm not too fond of some of her Free City pants: you know- the baggy ones which are elasticated around the ankles. But some of her other choices are ingenious. It's very casual and well, quite average, such that I won't mind being seen in it as I do a supermarket run before heading home (I'm one of those who have a phobia to being seen in sweatpants unless it's in the name of fitness). I threw in some leotards because that's what I think when I hear the word dancewear. That... and pointe shoes! Cred: google, justjared.com, TFS
... sorting out photos from fashion week to post here is a mess. I save all the ones I love onto the computer, under an extremely complicated filing system (that only I seem to understand), and try to narrow them down to blog about. It's too hard, too difficult and altogether too time consuming (especially since I love it all). Not to mention it'll be even more chaotic when Milan and Paris rolls around- so! I'm gonna sort it out after fashion week is over! And consequently, blog about it then.
Just you wait. I promise promise promise I will actually post it up! Be on the lookout from around October 8 I suppose. In the mean time, it's back to regular posts!
Since everyone seemed to quite enjoy that Gemma i-D post I did a while back, I've decided I'm going to post an editorial a month from now on- my favorite out of the magazine offerings to share with you all. My pick for October is from UK Vogue- Stam's Golden Years. By Corinne Day.
Don't you just find the variety within the ed fascinating? From pianos to giraffes to graffiti. I won't quite say it's the crème de la crème and one of my all time number ones, but it's the most intriguing one in October from the scans I've seen. Beats W's scary Kate Moss ed (although there seem to be a certain je ne sais quoi there...) Photo cred: laisla of TFS
And when I say that, I mean trendwords as opposed to keywords. Just wait until the weekend and I'll give you a picture heavy post, ok? I've got my economics mid-session exam coming up Friday, so I've basically been dividing my time up between study for macro and fashion week. The trendwords for NYFW (in my mind) are:
polka dots, high waisted short shorts, menswear influence, the top-to-toe white pant suit, stack heels, white, pale grey, pastels, splashes of yellow and orange, hats, sheer fabrics, vertical stripes...
Tell me, am I on target or not? Cred: style.com (it's from the RL collection)
Bonjour, new wardrobe! Hello new clothes! The lighter months of the year has finally arrived down here, much to my dismay (because now I've got to up my gym-going routine and I don't do sweaty!), but FASHION WEEK SS08 IS FINALLY UPON US! You know, as that facebook group goes- the only holiday I celebrate is FW! Oh how I envy you smashingly dressed New Yorkers who get to wander through the glamorous mayhem that defines NYFW! Any of you invited to the shows? Or planning to crash anyway? There's not much to write about trends at the moment (style.com is comparatively slow in uploading pictures but the lack of watermarks make it worthwhile) since it's only start a few days ago and since the Paris and Milano shows has more influence, but so far I see that high waisted shorts are still staying strong. Nothing as short as those Prada ones though!
I'll upload some photos when I sort through them properly (and when I take a break from spamming style.com). But whoever is going, you've got to tell me all about it: let me live vicariously through you!
My favorite new ad of the moment- the Bonds kaleidoscope TV campaign! There's just some appeal to this human kaleidoscopic affair and well, who wouldn't love dancing around in colorful underwear to those funk tunes!
I'm not sure what everyone else thinks of chic-lit, but I personally adore it! I've been re-reading them as an act of procrastination and they are so much fun, there's always a happy ending (well... at least all the ones I can think of) and most of the characters wear fabulous clothes! I do so enjoy the detailed clothing descriptions although the name dropping can get a bit much for some. Plum Sykes (the photo is of her way back in her Vogue days) is a serial offender in my eyes- her books were even called fashion porn by The Independent.
Here are my favorite outfits from the Bergdorf Blondes and The Debutante Divorcée respectively. Just for fun. Because I can.
Decked out beyond belief at all times in very, very petite skirts, tiny vintage couture coats, and sunglasses like a millenial Twiggy. She must have studied fashion in Paris... (Bergdorf Blondes)
Casually dressed she exuded a natural glamor that was low on bling and high on class. Her daytime uniform consisted of long, skinny pants fom Marni, little lace blouses by YSL, and miniscule, shrunken leather jackets from Rick Owens. (Debutante Divorcée)
Please go along with me here... I've been having a blank at what to blog about for the past few days, and this was the first thing that popped into my head! Cred: Bergdorf Blondes, Debutante Divorcée, The Independent, wiki (for the photo)
TV has been quite dull lately... so I've taken to watching it online! It's the fact that Australian shows are terrible (yes! I said it! I have no loyalty to Australian media at all!), the free to air channels don't buy anything interesting or that some of the shows they buy are so old (how is it possible that they are showing ANTM5 at the moment?). I think I know what's going to be added to my growing list of online shows: Yes: Gossip girl. I happen to love frivolous shows and since this is from the producers of The OC, it should be light and fun, don't you think? Based on the book series of the same name, by Cecily von Ziegesar, it's about the going ons of teenage socialites from NYC's Upper East Side. It's set to air in the US of A on September 19 (aka soon!) right after ANTM9.
If it's up to scratch, I guess I'll look out for torrents of each episode. Hopefully, it will be as good and OC-like as the teaser looks... and that all their wardrobes will be similarly as fabulous! Cred: youtube, wiki
This girl was on stage singing with her band a combination of cool jazz and pop at the Sydney Aroma Festival 2007. Normally I would've just walked by, but her outfit is brilliant! It's actually quite a simple style, but this is MAJOR (I use major because seriously, who doesn't want to talk like Posh?)! It's either the wind swept blonde hair, the silver aviators or the jacket/short skirt thing going on. I want to pluck her out of the noughties and place her back in the 70s. She's got that glamorous jet-setting/ air-hostess look about her. A 70s martini commercial would kind of work too. Kind of hard to explain... but bottom line is- she looks chic!
And just to clarify... the Aroma Festival is this annual event out at The Rocks with coffee, chocolate and tea stalls, and The Rocks is this place by the Harbor for those who don't know. It has a view of the Sydney Harbor Bridge and the Opera House, along with the Museum of Contemporary Art, hence making it a tourist hot spot. The Spanish scene from Mission Impossible II was actually filmed there!! Cred: myself (apologies for the LQ!)
I think Gemma Ward is the most amazing Aussie model export since Elle Macpherson (who, I admit, I don't really care about. Let's just say that she was before my time...), so imagine my reaction when I was looking through i-D's myspace and came across the September cover! I almost squealed when I saw it. She means something to mebecause she drew me into the fashion world like a moth to a flame.
Do we really view extravagant prices as just another fact of life? Are we buying pricey luxury goods to prove to the world that yes, we do have the money (and hence the status and worth) to consume them? According to NYT, then yes! We do- with the increased profits of LVMH, Gucci group and the Prada group as proof. If you ask for my answer, I'll say yes to the first question and uncertain for the second. I'm going to call our immunity to the price tag the department store shopper's habituation syndrome. Happens all the time. You shop at those nice calm beautiful department stores like Barney's for a few hours and come out being able to justify a $200 Tshirt as a bargain. Our motives to buy luxury goods, however, goes a bit deeper than that... because it really depends on how secure we are socially. I mean, I like designers because of the quality (If a high end brand doesn't the quality, I won't buy it!) and (obviously) the design... from the avant-garde and the intricately designed to absolute classics like Chanel and Hermès. Others might want to feel the satisfaction of knowing they 'fit' into a certain 'elite' because of it. Or maybe, it's just expected as part of the job description.
And the dollar plays a part in affecting these imports. I know the Australian dollar is on my side at the moment. The US dollar not so well, I know. It always seems to have this flip side- the two dollars head in opposite directions. Strong USD means a weak AUD and vice versa. The AUD has been doing smashingly well and very very strong.
1 AUD = 0.8582 USD.
Does that mean I should be spending more? (I sure hope so... ) Cred: NYT
So it seemed like I bluffed my way through the interview: I got the job! A two to three month gig in Ladies shoes at a nice department store seems like a pretty decent way to spend the holidays- Can't you just see me befriending all those shoes? I mean- "Hello Manolo!" "Hey where did Louboutin go?" I think I've died and gone to shoe heaven. Kind of reminds me of this quote I once saw on a shopping bag:
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